Bhutia impasse passed to legal expert

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Sunday decided to pass the Bhaichung Bhutia-Mohun Bagan impasse to a legal expert.

“Since both parties are firm on their stand and considering Bhaichung Bhutia’s star status, we have decided to take the help of a legal expert. We hope to find a solution in a week’s time,” said AIFF working president Praful Patel.

Mohun Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra, said the club would try and reduce the ban imposed on Bhutia, provided the India skipper apologises.

As far as Champions League's requirements are concerned, the committee has decided to give all the I-League clubs two more years to fulfil the conditions. “The clubs will be given a schedule when they have to complete certain criteria; the committee will then decide whether to continue with these clubs or not,” Colaco said.

Other major decisions

The I-League was postponed by a week due to unavailability of grounds in Goa and the lack of police availablity in Kolkata because of Durga Puja (September 25-28). As per the original schedule, the league was supposed to start on September 24.

The Federation Cup will take place in Assam in December while Goa will host the Santosh Trophy after the I-League.

Artificial turfs will be laid in five centres — Imphal, Shillong, Bangalore, Hoshiarpur in Punjab and the Cooperage in Mumbai. “An expert from FIFA will be visiting these venues for from September 14 to 21.”